Big Moves in College Football Coaching
It’s been a hectic morning for college football, especially in the ACC and Big Ten. Tom Allen, Penn State’s defensive coordinator, is at the center of it all. After his team narrowly lost to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, 27-24, there’s buzz about his next career move.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Allen might be heading to the ACC next season. He’s expected to replace Clemson’s former defensive coordinator, Wes Goodwin, who parted ways with the team on January 6.
“Clemson is working toward a deal to hire Penn State DC Tom Allen as the school’s new defensive coordinator,” Thamel tweeted Monday. “He’s the top target and a final decision is expected in the upcoming days.”
Why is Allen such a hot pick? Well, he helped Penn State’s defense rank among the top 30 this season. That’s no small feat! A big part of that success was thanks to Abdul Carter, their standout defensive lineman. Carter is turning heads as a projected top-5 pick in this year’s NFL draft. He racked up an impressive 12 sacks, including one in the Orange Bowl.
James Franklin, Penn State’s head coach, had nothing but praise for Allen before the Orange Bowl. "If you know Tom, Tom has just been awesome," Franklin shared. "There’s not a better guy in the profession. His humility is impressive. His faith is impressive. But he’s been awesome."
Allen’s journey hasn’t been without its ups and downs. Before joining Penn State, he was Indiana’s head coach from 2017 to 2023. He had some bright moments, especially in 2020 with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but couldn’t quite turn the program around like the current coach, Curt Cignetti.
Now, Allen faces a new challenge at Clemson. The Tigers had a wild season, often finding themselves in high-scoring games. In fact, they gave up at least 200 rushing yards in their last four games.
Even though Clemson clinched the ACC Championship against SMU, they stumbled in the first round against Texas. The Longhorns went on to play in the Cotton Bowl, where they lost to Ohio State, 28-14.
What’s next for Allen at Clemson? Will he help tighten up their defense and lead them to greater heights? Only time will tell, but it’s sure to be an exciting ride!
